Image processing system, digital camera, and printing apparatus

ABSTRACT

In order to print an image sensed by a digital camera using a printing apparatus for forming an image on a print medium, image data corresponding to the sensed image is converted into print data, and the converted data is transmitted to the printing apparatus, thereby providing an image processing system which can print an image sensed by the digital camera using the printing apparatus without the intervention of any computer, and a digital camera and printing apparatus suitable for the image processing system.

This is a divisional now U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,461 of prior applicationSer. No. 09/591,775, filed Jun. 12, 2000, which is a divisional of08/984,304 filed Dec. 3, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,137 to whichpriority under 35 U.S.C. §120 is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing system forprocessing an image sensed by a digital camera to be printed by aprinting apparatus, and a digital camera and printing apparatus suitablefor the image processing system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, when an image sensed by a digital camera is output to aprinter as one of printing apparatuses, a personal computer (to beabbreviated as a “PC” hereinafter) is used. The PC captures image datafrom the digital camera, converts the captured image data into printdata that can be processed by the printer, and thereafter, outputs theconverted print data to the printer.

This processing will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.15. FIG. 15 shows the arrangement of the image processing system.

As shown in FIG. 15, the image processing system is built by a digitalcamera 110, PC 112, and printer 114. The digital camera 110 and PC 112are connected to each other via a communication cable 116 such as anRS232C cable. On the other hand, the PC 112 and printer 114 areconnected to each other via a communication cable 118 such as aCentronics cable.

An image sensed by the digital camera 110 is temporarily stored as animage data in a flash memory attached to the digital camera 110. Whenthe sensed image is to be printed, the digital camera 110 and PC 112 areconnected using the communication cable 116, and communication softwareinstalled on the PC 112 is started. Communications between the PC 112and camera 110 are done via the communication software, and the imagedata stored in the flash memory of the digital camera 110 is transmittedto the PC 112 via the communication cable 116. The transmitted imagedata is temporarily stored in a hard disk or the like of the PC 112.

When the image data transmitted from the digital camera 110 is stored inthe PC 112, the PC 112 starts a printer driver for the printer 114, theimage data captured from the digital camera 110 is converted into printdata that can be printed by the printer 114 via the printer driver, andthe converted print data is output to the printer 114 via thecommunication cable 118. The printer 114 receives the print data via thecommunication cable 118, and prints an image converted into the printdata onto a print paper sheet.

However, in the above-mentioned image processing system, in order tocapture image data sensed by the digital camera 110 into the PC 112,connection of the communication cable 116, start of the communicationsoftware, start of the printer driver for converting the captured imagedata into print data and outputting the converted print data, and thelike must be done, and operations for printing an image sensed by thedigital camera 110 are complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processingsystem which allows a digital camera to transmit image data to aprinting apparatus without the intervention of any computer.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an imageprocessing system having a digital camera for sensing an image andgenerating image data, and a printing apparatus for printing an image ona print medium on the basis of print data, wherein the digital cameracomprises: data conversion means for converting the image data into theprint data; and first communication means for communicating with theprinting apparatus, and the printing apparatus comprises: secondcommunication means for communicating with the digital camera.

Also, there is disclosed an image processing system having a digitalcamera for sensing an image and generating image data, and a printingapparatus for printing an image on a print medium on the basis of printdata, wherein the digital camera comprises: first communication meansfor communicating with the printing apparatus; and execution means forexecuting software received by the first communication means, theprinting apparatus comprises: second communication means forcommunicating with the digital camera; and storage means for storingdata conversion software for converting the image data into the printdata, and the printing apparatus transmits the data conversion softwareto the digital camera.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an imageprocessing system which allows a printing apparatus to print an imagesensed by a digital camera without requiring any complicated operations.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an imageprocessing system having a digital camera for sensing an image andgenerating image data, and a printing apparatus for printing an image ona print medium on the basis of print data, wherein the digital cameracomprises: data conversion means for converting the image data into theprint data; and first communication means for communicating with theprinting apparatus, and the printing apparatus comprises: secondcommunication means for communicating with the digital camera.

Also, there is disclosed an image processing system having a digitalcamera for sensing an image and generating image data, and a printingapparatus for printing an image on a print medium on the basis of printdata, wherein the digital camera comprises: first communication meansfor communicating with the printing apparatus; and execution means forexecuting software received by the first communication means, theprinting apparatus comprises: second communication means forcommunicating with the digital camera; and storage means for storingdata conversion software for converting the image data into the printdata, and the printing apparatus transmits the data conversion softwareto the digital camera.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a digitalcamera and printing apparatus suitably used in the image processingsystem.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an imageprocessing system having a digital camera for sensing an image andgenerating image data, and a printing apparatus for printing an image ona print medium on the basis of print data, wherein the digital cameracomprises: data conversion means for converting the image data into theprint data; and first communication means for communicating with theprinting apparatus, and the printing apparatus comprises: secondcommunication means for communicating with the digital camera.

Also, there is disclosed a digital camera for an image processing systemhaving a digital camera for sensing an image and generating image data,and a printing apparatus for printing an image on a print medium on thebasis of print data, comprising: communication means for communicatingwith the printing apparatus, wherein the image data is transmitted tothe printing apparatus via the communication means.

Furthermore, there is disclosed a printing apparatus for an imageprocessing system having a digital camera for sensing an image andgenerating image data, and a printing apparatus for printing an image ona print medium on the basis of print data, comprising: communicationmeans for communicating with the digital camera; and data conversionmeans for converting image data received by the communication means intoprint data, wherein when the image data is received from the digitalcamera via the communication means, the data conversion means isstarted.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processingsystem according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a digital camera 10shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a printer 12 shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the digitalcamera 10;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of the digital camera10;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of the printer 12;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the print mode selection window;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the print mode selection window ofthe pseudo halftone processing method;

FIGS. 9A to 9D are views showing the correspondence between thezoom-displayed image and print result;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation for printing azoom-displayed image in a zoom state;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation for printing an image incorrespondence with a paper sheet set on the printer 12;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation for printing an image incorrespondence with a paper sheet set on the printer 12;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the window for selecting a desiredprint size;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the arrangement for connecting thedigital camera 10 and a computer 70 via infrared ray communications;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the arrangement of an image processingsystem;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a digital camera10;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a printer 12;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of thedigital camera 10 on its back side;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the digitalcamera 10;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the digitalcamera 10;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the printer 12;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the printer 12;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the selection window of printmodes on the digital camera 10;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the selection window of otherprint modes on the digital camera 10;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imageprocessing system;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an imageprocessing system;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the digitalcamera 10;

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the digitalcamera 10;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the digitalcamera 10;

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the printer 12;

FIG. 31 is a view showing an image to be output from the printer 12;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the printer 12;

FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the printer 12;and

FIG. 34 is a view showing an image to be output from the printer 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processingsystem according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Adigital camera 10 and printer 12 respectively have infrared raycommunication interfaces 16 and 18 that allow inter-communications viainfrared rays 14. The digital camera 10 transmits image data to beprinted as an infrared ray signal to the printer 12 via the infrared raycommunication interface 16. The printer 12 receives the infrared raysignal by the infrared ray communication interface 18, and prints thereceived image data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the digital camera10 shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 20 denotes a CPU for controllingthe overall digital camera 10; 22, a ROM that stores various programsexecuted by the CPU 20 and data; 24, a RAM used by the CPU 20 as a workmemory; and 26, a flash memory for storing sensed image data. Referencenumeral 28 denotes an image sensing circuit for photoelectricallyconverting an object optical image, and outputting the converted digitalvideo signal; 30, a color processing conversion circuit for performingcolor processing conversion of the digital video signal output from theimage sensing circuit 28 under the control of the CPU 20, and outputtingthe color-converted image data to an image memory 32; 34, a liquidcrystal display panel which serves as a finder, and a reproductiondisplay means of an image stored in the flash memory 26, and displaysimage data and the like; 36, a display control circuit for controllingdisplay of the liquid crystal panel 34 under the control of the CPU 20;38, operation switches (a shutter switch, mode conversion switch, powerswitch, image data selection switch, and the like) used by the user tooperate the digital camera 10; and 40, an input port for receiving asignal input from each of the operation switches 38.

Reference numeral 42 denotes an IrDA communication control circuit forperforming modulation/demodulation and serial communication controlbased on IrDA (Infrared Data Association) communication as one ofinfrared ray communication schemes and exchanging an electrical signalwith an infrared ray transceiver 44. The infrared ray transceiver 44converts an electrical signal output from the IrDA communication controlcircuit 42 into an infrared ray signal and transmits the convertedsignal. Also, the transceiver 44 converts an infrared ray signalreceived from the printer 12 into an electrical signal, and outputs theconverted signal to the IrDA communication control circuit 42. The IrDAcommunication control circuit 42 and infrared ray transceiver 44constitute the infrared ray communication interface 16.

Reference numeral 46 denotes an internal bus that inter-connects the CPU20, ROM 22, RAM 24, flash memory 26, color processing conversion circuit30, image memory 32, display control circuit 36, input port 38, and IrDAcommunication control circuit 44.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the printer 12shown in FIG. 1. Reference numeral 50 denotes a CPU for controlling theoverall printer 12; 52, a ROM that stores various programs to beexecuted by the CPU 50 and data; and 54, a RAM used by the CPU 50 as awork memory. Reference numeral 56 denotes an IrDA communication controlcircuit having the same function as that of the IrDA communicationcontrol circuit 42; and 58, an infrared ray transceiver for convertingan electrical signal from the IrDA communication control circuit 56 intoan infrared ray signal and transmitting the converted signal, andconverting an infrared ray signal from an external device into anelectrical signal and outputting the converted signal to the IrDAcommunication control circuit 56. The IrDA communication control circuit56 and infrared ray transceiver 58 make up the infrared raycommunication interface 18. Reference numeral 60 denote variousoperation switches including a power switch, paper discharge switch, andthe like; 62, an input port for inputting the operation states of theoperation switches 60; and 64, a printer engine control circuit forcontrolling a printer engine 66 to print print data.

The CPU 50, ROM 52, RAM 54, IrDA communication control circuit 56, inputport 62, and printer engine control circuit 64 are connected to eachother via an internal bus 68.

The basic operation of the digital camera 10 will be explained below. Animage captured by the image sensing circuit 28 is converted into imagedata of a predetermined format by the color processing conversioncircuit 30, and the converted image data is temporarily stored in theimage memory 32. Before the shutter is pressed, the image data stored inthe image memory 32 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 34under the control of the display control circuit 36. More specifically,the liquid crystal display panel 34 serves as a finder. When the userhas pressed the shutter included in the operation switches 38, thatoperation is transmitted to the CPU 20 via the input port 40 andinternal bus 46, and the CPU 20 transfers the stored contents of theimage memory 32 to the flash memory 26. In this manner, the sensed imagedata is stored in the flash memory 26.

FIG. 4 shows the outer appearance of the digital camera 10. The samereference numerals in FIG. 4 denote the same parts as in FIG. 2.Reference numeral 44 a denotes an infrared ray filter which transmitsinfrared rays, and is disposed to cover the light-emitting surface andlight-receiving surface of the infrared ray transceiver 44. Referencenumeral 38 a denotes a shutter button included in the operation switches38; and 38 b, 38 c, and 38 d, switches used for designating a liquidcrystal display mode, selecting the image to be displayed, and so on,and included in the operation switches 38.

Processing for transmitting image data from the digital camera 10 to theprinter 12 via infrared ray communications and printing the transmittedimage data will be explained below.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of the digital camera10. The CPU 20 of the digital camera 10 instructs the IrDA communicationcontrol circuit 42 in the infrared ray communication interface 16 tostart communications with the infrared ray communication interface 18 ofthe printer 12. The communications are made based on a communicationprotocol defined by IrDA. The IrDa infrared ray communications arehalf-duplex communications using infrared rays and can communicate datain two ways. A communication connection is set between the infrared raycommunication interface 16 of the digital camera 10 and the infrared raycommunication interface 18 of the printer 12 (S1). Using the setcommunication connection, the digital camera 10 and printer 12 canperform two-way communications.

The CPU 20 requests the printer 12 transmission of print data conversionsoftware (S2), and stands by to receive the print data conversionsoftware (S3). The print data conversion software to be executed by theCPU 20 of the digital camera 10 converts image data stored in the flashmemory 26 of the digital camera 10 into a data format that the printer12 can print (i.e., print data). The data conversion software hasprograms associated with various kinds of mode setting and a userinterface for setting a mode upon printing print data.

The CPU 20 starts reception of the print data conversion software (S3),and upon completion of reception (S4), it stores the received dataconversion software in the flash memory 26 (S5). The CPU 20 then startsthe data conversion software stored in the flash memory 26 (S6).

The started data conversion software sends data of a print mode settingdialog window to the display control circuit 36 to display the printmode setting dialog window on the liquid crystal display panel 34 (S7).FIG. 7 shows the print mode setting dialog window. In FIG. 7, the dialogwindow for selecting one of HQ and HS modes is displayed. The HQ modeinstructs high-quality (low-speed) printing, and the HS mode instructshigh-speed (low-quality) printing.

At this time, the CPU 20 monitors the operation states of the operationswitches 38 b, 38 c, and 38 d (S8) and waits for a user's input (S9). Ifthe user selects the HQ mode (S10), the CPU 20 converts the image datastored in the flash memory 26 into print data corresponding to the HQmode (S11); otherwise, the CPU 20 converts the image data stored in theflash memory 26 into print data corresponding to the HS mode (S12). Ineither case, the obtained print data is temporarily stored in the flashmemory 26 or RAM 24.

The digital camera 10 transmits the print data obtained in step S11 orS12 to the printer 12 set with the communication connection via theinfrared ray communication interface 16 (S13). More specifically, theprint data temporarily stored in the flash memory 26 or RAM 24 istransferred to the IrDA communication control circuit 42 via theinternal bus 46. The IrDA communication control circuit 42 modulates theinput print data to be suitable for communications, and supplies themodulated data to the infrared ray transceiver 44. The infrared raytransceiver 44 outputs the received data as an infrared ray signal.

Upon completion of transmission of the print data, the CPU 20 transmitsa disconnection request of the communication connection between thedigital camera 10 and printer 12 to the printer 12 (S14) to disconnectthe communication connection with the printer 12 (S15).

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of the printer 12.The operation of the printer 12 will be described below with referenceto FIG. 6. The CPU 50 sets a communication connection with the digitalcamera 10 using the IrDA communication control circuit 56 of theinfrared ray communication interface 18 (S21). The CPU 50 waits forreceipt of a print data conversion software request from the digitalcamera 10 (S22). Upon reception of the request, the CPU 50 sends theprint data conversion software to the digital camera 10 (S23). Morespecifically, the CPU 50 reads out the print data conversion softwarestored in the ROM 52 or the like, and transfers it to the IrDAcommunication control circuit 56 via the internal bus 68. The IrDAcommunication control circuit 56 modulates the input print dataconversion software to be suitable for communications, and supplies itto the infrared ray transceiver 58. The infrared ray transceiver 58converts the signal received from the IrDA communication control circuit56 into an infrared ray signal, and transmits the converted signal tothe digital camera 10.

Upon completion of transmission of the print data conversion software,the CPU 50 waits for reception of print data (S24). If print datareception is started (S24), the CPU 50 checks if the received print datacorresponds to the HQ mode (S25).

If the print data corresponds to the HQ mode (S25), the CPU 50 instructsthe printer engine control circuit 64 to process the received print datain the HQ mode, so as to output an image expressed by the print datafrom the printer engine 66 to have high quality (S26, S27, S28).

If the print data does not correspond to the HQ mode (S25), the CPU 50directs the printer engine control circuit 64 to process the receivedprint data in the HS mode so as to output an image expressed by theprint data from the printer engine 66 at high speed (S29, S30, S31).

Upon completion of reception of the print data (S28, S31), the printer12 waits for a disconnection request of the infrared ray communicationsfrom the digital camera 10 (S32). Upon receiving a disconnection requestof the infrared ray communication connection (S32), the printer 12disconnects the communication connection with the digital camera 10(S33).

In this manner, by making infrared ray communications between thedigital camera 10 and printer 12, the digital camera 10 can directlytransmit image data to the printer 12 to print it out.

In this embodiment, the HQ and HS modes can be selected as the printmode. However, the present invention is not limited to these two modes.An ink-jet printer must execute pseudo halftone processing upon printingimage data. The pseudo halftone processing includes some methods such asED (error diffusion), dither, and the like. In this case, the pseudohalftone processing modes may be selected using the same dialog windowas the selection dialog window for the HQ and HS modes. FIG. 8 shows theselection window of the pseudo halftone processing methods.

Furthermore, color matching modes may be set. Upon setting variousconditions, a dialog window for setting such conditions may be displayedon the liquid crystal display panel 34, and may allow the user to setdesired conditions using the switches 38 b, 38 c, and 38 d.

Processing for printing an image zoom-displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 34 in the zoomed size will be explained below. FIGS. 9A to9D show the correspondence between the zoom-displayed image and itsprintout result. Note that FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate as if the size ofthe image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel were the same asthat of the printed image, but they do not always match. However, therange of the displayed image roughly matches that of the printed image.Assuming that FIG. 9A shows an image displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 34 of the digital camera 10, when that image is printed,an image shown in FIG. 9B is obtained. In this embodiment, when theimage shown in FIG. 9A is zoom-displayed, as shown in FIG. 9C, thezoom-displayed image can be printed, as shown in FIG. 9D.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation for printing out thezoom-displayed image in the zoom state. Steps S41 to S46 respectivelycorrespond to steps S1 to S6 in FIG. 5, and a detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted since the same processing is done. After theprint data conversion software is started (S46), the designated image isread out from the flash memory 26 to the image memory 32, and isdisplayed on the liquid crystal display panel 34 under the control ofthe display control circuit 36 (S47).

The CPU 20 monitors the operation states of the operation switches 38(S48, S49) to check if the user's operation selects a zoom display mode(S50). If the user's operation selects the zoom display mode (S50), theCPU 20 instructs the display control circuit 36 to display the imagestored in the image memory 32 on the liquid crystal display panel 34 inan enlarged scale (S51). The CPU 20 then converts the image displayed onthe liquid crystal display panel 34 into one having a size correspondingto the zoom ratio (S52), and stores the size-converted image data in theflash memory 26 (S53). If the zoom display mode is not selected (S50),the CPU 20 stores the image data stored in the image memory 32 in theflash memory 26 (S54). In either case, the CPU 20 converts the imagedata stored in the flash memory 26 into print data (S55).

Since the subsequent processing (S56 to S58) corresponds to that insteps S13 to S15 in FIG. 5 and the same processing is done, a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

In this manner, the image zoom-displayed on the liquid crystal displaypanel 34 can be printed from the printer 12.

In this embodiment, an image can also be size-converted incorrespondence with the size of a paper sheet set on the printer 12, andthe size-converted image can be printed. FIGS. 11 and 12 are flow chartsshowing the operation for printing an image in correspondence with thesize of the paper sheet set on the printer 12.

Since steps S61 to S66 correspond to steps S1 to S6 in FIG. 5 and thesame processing is done, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.After the print data conversion software is started (S66), a print modesetting dialog window is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel34 (S67).

FIG. 13 shows the paper size selection window. The user can manuallyselect a desired paper size (A4, B5, and A5 in FIG. 13). Also, the usercan select one of an equal-magnification print mode for printing animage independently of the paper size, and an automaticvariable-magnification mode for automatically converting the size of animage in correspondence with the paper size and printing thesize-converted image. Furthermore, in the automaticvariable-magnification mode, automatic paper setting can be done. Thatis, the size of a paper sheet set on the printer 12 (if a plurality ofpaper sizes are available, the paper size normally used) isautomatically detected, and the size of the image is automaticallyconverted in correspondence with the detected paper size to print outthe size-converted image.

The CPU 20 waits for a user's switch input in step S69 in FIG. 11, andif an input is detected, the CPU 20 checks if the input selects theautomatic variable-magnification mode (S70). If the automaticvariable-magnification mode is not selected, the CPU 20 converts imagedata into print data (S76).

If the automatic variable-magnification mode is selected (S70), the CPU20 checks if automatic paper setting is to be done (S71). If one of thepaper sizes (A4, B5, and A4 in FIG. 13) displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay panel 34 is selected (S71), the CPU 20 sets the selected papersize (S75), and converts the image to be printed into print data whosesize is converted in correspondence with the set paper size (S74).

If automatic paper setting is to be done (S71), the CPU 20 requests theprinter 12 information of the size of a paper sheet set on the printer12 (S72). The CPU 50 of the printer 12 transmits the size information ofthe paper sheet set on the printer 12 to the digital camera 10 inaccordance with the received request. The CPU 20 sets the paper sizebased on the information from the printer 12 (S73), and converts theimage to be printed into print data whose size is converted incorrespondence with the set paper size (S74).

Since steps S77 to S79 after step S74 or S76 correspond to steps S13 toS15 in FIG. 5 and the same processing is done, a detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted.

With the above-mentioned operations, an image can be printed in theimage size corresponding to the size of a paper sheet set on the printer12.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, since the printer 12 transfers theprint data conversion software to the digital camera 10, various kindsof printers 12 can be used. When the printer 12 used has a novelfunction, the user can immediately make use of that novel function. Ofcourse, print data conversion software may be pre-installed on thedigital camera 10. In this case, the print data conversion software maybe stored in the ROM 22 in place of the flash memory 26.

Furthermore, the print data conversion software may be transferred froma computer 70 in place of the printer 12, as shown in FIG. 14. Thecomputer 70 comprises an infrared ray interface 72 similar to theinfrared ray communication interface 18 of the printer 12.

The digital camera 10 requests the computer 70 transmission of the printdata conversion software as in the printer 12. The computer 70 transmitsthe print data conversion software to the digital camera 10 on the basisof this request, and the digital camera 10 stores the received printdata conversion software in the flash memory 26 or the like. Conversely,the computer 70 may request the digital camera 10 reception of the printdata conversion software, and may transmit the print data conversionsoftware to the digital camera 10.

The IrDA scheme has been exemplified as the infrared ray communicationscheme among the digital camera 10, printer 12, and computer 70.Instead, ASK (amplitude shift keying) may be used. Furthermore, in placeof the infrared ray communication scheme, a radio communication schememay be used. The radio communication scheme includes a time-divisiondigital communication scheme, spread spectrum scheme, and the like, andany scheme may be used.

On the other hand, when a wired communication scheme is used, a USB(Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, and the like can be used.

The digital camera 10 may be either a digital still camera or a digitalvideo camera having a still mode. Since it is not indispensable to printthe sensed image in real time, the digital camera 10 may be an imagereproduction device that can reproduce an image recorded on a recordingmedium and can output it as digital data.

(Second Embodiment)

The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 16to 18. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a digitalcamera 10. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of aprinter 12. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the outer appearanceof the digital camera 10 on its back side.

As shown in FIG. 16, the digital camera 10 has an image sensing circuit28 for sensing an image and generating an image signal of the sensedimage. The image signal generated by the image sensing circuit 28 isoutput to a color processing conversion circuit 30. The color processingconversion circuit 30 converts the image signal into image data by colorconversion processing, and temporarily stores the converted image datain an image memory 32. The image data stored in the image memory 32 isoutput to a display control circuit 36 or a flash memory 26 via aninternal bus 46.

The display control circuit 36 controls a liquid crystal display panel34 to display image data input from the image memory 32 or dataprocessed by the CPU 20. The liquid crystal display panel 34 serves as afinder, monitor, and the like. Also, the liquid crystal display panel 34displays data such as various kinds of setting information, e.g., animage sensing mode, time information, and the like. The time informationis acquired from a timepiece device 215. The timepiece device 215 has acalendar function, and is backed up by a secondary battery 216 to beable to continue its timepiece operation while the power switch of thedigital camera 10 is OFF.

The flash memory 26 stores image data input from the image memory 32,and transfers the stored image data to an infrared ray communicationinterface 16 via the internal bus 46.

The infrared ray communication interface 16 comprises an IrDAcommunication control circuit 42 connected to the internal bus 46, andan infrared ray transceiver 44. The IrDA communication control circuit42 executes modulation/demodulation and serial communication controlbased on IrDA (Infrared Data Association) as one of infrared raycommunication schemes, and exchanges an electrical signal with theinfrared ray transceiver 44 in accordance with this communicationcontrol. The infrared ray transceiver 44 converts an electrical signaloutput from the IrDA communication control circuit 42 into acorresponding infrared ray signal, and transmits the converted infraredray signal as infrared rays 14. Also, the transceiver 44 receivesinfrared rays 14 and converts them into an electrical signal, andoutputs the converted electrical signal to the IrDA communicationcontrol circuit 42. The IrDA scheme is half-duplex communication usinginfrared rays, and can communicate data in two ways.

The above-mentioned blocks are connected to the CPU 20 via the internalbus 46. The CPU 20 controls the above-mentioned blocks by reading out acontrol program stored in a ROM 22 and executing the readout program. ARAM 24 is used as a temporary storage area of data and work area forarithmetic processing upon executing the control by the CPU 20. Thecontrol program includes a system program that describes the control ofthe overall digital camera 10, and a plurality of individual programsthat describe control of an image sensing mode, and the like, and eachprogram is read out and executed in correspondence with the operationstates of operation switches 38. The ROM 22 pre-stores print dataconversion software in addition to the above-mentioned control program.The print data conversion software is read out from the ROM 22 inaccordance with a request from the printer 12, and is transmitted to theprinter 12.

The operation switches 38 include various switches such as a shutterswitch, mode selection switch, power switch, image data selectionswitch, and the like, as will be described later. The operation statesof the individual switches included in the operation switches 38 areoutput to the CPU 20 via an input port 40.

In this digital camera 10, as shown in FIG. 18, a shutter switch 404,mode selection switch 405, image selection switch 406, power switch 407,print switch 408, and the like included in the switches 38 are disposedon the upper surface of a body 401. The shutter switch 404 instructs theimage sensing timing of the image sensing circuit 28. The mode selectionswitch 405 is used for selecting one of the image sensing mode andreproduction mode. The image selection switch 406 is used for selectingthe image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 34 fromthose stored in the flash memory 26 in the reproduction mode. The powerswitch 407 is used for turning on/off the power supply. The print switch408 instructs transmission of the image to be printed to the printer 12.A transmission/reception window 44 for transmitting an infrared raysignal from the infrared ray transceiver 44 and receiving an infraredray signal from the printer 12 is formed on the side surface of the body401. A filter is fitted in this window 44. Furthermore, the liquidcrystal display panel 34 is disposed on the back surface of the body 401to expose its screen 34 externally.

As shown in FIG. 17, the printer 12 has an infrared ray communicationinterface 18, which comprises an IrDA communication control circuit 56connected to an internal bus 68 and an infrared ray transceiver 58, asin the infrared ray communication interface 16 of the digital camera 10.The IrDA communication control circuit 56 executesmodulation/demodulation and serial communication control based on IrDA,and exchanges an electrical signal with the infrared ray transceiver 58in accordance with this communication control. The infrared raytransceiver 58 converts an electrical signal received from the IrDAcommunication control circuit 56 into a corresponding infrared raysignal, and transmits it as infrared rays 14. Also, the transceiver 58receives and converts infrared rays 14 into an electrical signal, andoutputs the converted electrical signal to the IrDA communicationcontrol circuit 56.

In the infrared ray communication interface 18, upon receiving the printdata conversion software transmitted from the digital camera 10, theprint data conversion software is temporarily stored in a RAM 54 via theinternal bus 68. Thereafter, the print data conversion software is readout and executed by the CPU 50. Upon executing this software, anenvironment for converting image data from the digital camera 10 intoprint data that can be printed is built in the printer 12. Subsequently,the infrared ray communication interface 18 receives image datatransmitted from the digital camera 10. The received image data isconverted into print data in accordance with the processing of the printdata conversion software executed by the CPU 50. The converted printdata is transferred to a printer engine control circuit 64 via theinternal bus 68.

The printer engine control circuit 64 controls a printer engine 66. Theprinter engine 66 prints an image corresponding to the print data on aprint medium.

The CPU 50 is connected to the above-mentioned blocks via the internalbus 68, executes the above-mentioned print data conversion software, andcontrols the individual blocks on the basis of a control program storedin a ROM 52. The RAM 54 is used as a temporary storage area of data andwork area for arithmetic processing upon executing the control by theCPU 50. The control program includes a system program that describes thecontrol of the overall printer 12, and a plurality of individualprograms that describe control of the individual blocks, and eachprogram is read out and executed in correspondence with the operationstates of operation switches 60.

The operation switches 60 include a mode selection switch, power switch,paper discharge switch, and the like. The operation states of theswitches included in the operation switches 60 are output to the CPU 50via an input port 62.

The CPU 50 acquires time information from a timepiece device 311 havinga calendar function, and manages printer jobs using this timeinformation. The timepiece device 311 is backed up by a secondarybattery 312 to be able to continue its timepiece operation while thepower switch of the printer 12 is OFF.

The operation for printing an image sensed by the digital camera 10using the printer 12 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19to 22. FIGS. 19 and 20 are flow charts showing the control operation ofthe digital camera 10. FIGS. 21 and 22 are flow charts showing thecontrol operation of the printer 12. FIG. 23 shows the selection windowof print modes of the digital camera 10. FIG. 24 shows the selectionwindow of other print modes of the digital camera 10.

When an image sensed by the digital camera 10 is to be printed by theprinter 12, the digital camera 10 is controlled by the CPU 20 inaccordance with a predetermined sequence. As shown in FIG. 19, in stepS501, the CPU 20 detects that the user has pressed the switch 408,instructs the IrDA communication control circuit 42 of the infrared raycommunication interface 16 to start communications, and sets acommunication connection with the printer 12 via the infrared raycommunication interface 16 in accordance with an IrDA communicationprotocol.

The flow then advances to step S502, and the CPU 20 waits for atransmission request of the print data conversion software from theprinter 12. Upon receiving a print data conversion software request fromthe printer 12, the CPU 20 reads out the print data conversion softwarefrom the ROM 22 in response to the print data conversion softwaretransmission request, and transmits it to the printer 12 via theinfrared ray communication interface 16 in step S503.

In step S504, the CPU 20 outputs print mode setting dialog window datato the display control circuit 36 and controls the circuit 36 to displaythe print mode setting dialog window data on the liquid crystal displaypanel 34. Under such control, the display screen 34 of the liquidcrystal display panel 34 displays the selection window of print modes,i.e., HQ and HS mode, as shown in FIG. 23. The HQ mode instructs theprinter 12 to print an image with high quality, and the HS modeinstructs the printer to print an image at high speed.

The flow then advances to step S505, and the CPU 20 starts monitoring ofthe operation states of the switches included in the operation switches38 via the input port 40. Subsequently, in step S506, the CPU 20monitors if the user presses one of the mode selection switch 405, imagedata selection switch 406, and print switch 408, which are assigned asselection switches of the print mode after depression of the switch 408.If the user has pressed one of these switches, the CPU 20 checks in stepS507 if the mode selected by the pressed switch is the HQ mode. If theHQ mode is selected, the flow advances to step S508 to transmit an HQmode setting request to the printer 12 via the infrared raycommunication interface 16. On the other hand, if the HQ mode is notselected, it is determined that the selected mode is the HS mode, andthe flow advances to step S509 to transmit an HS mode setting request tothe printer 12 via the infrared ray communication interface 16.

After the setting request of the selected print mode is transmitted, theCPU 20 waits for an image data transmission request from the printer 12in step S510. Upon receiving an image data transmission request from theprinter 12, the flow advances to step S511 shown in FIG. 20.

In step S511, the CPU 20 reads out image data from the flash memory 26,and transmits the readout image data to the printer 12 via the infraredray communication interface 16. More specifically, the CPU 20 transfersimage data stored in the flash memory 26 to the IrDA communicationcontrol circuit 42 via the internal bus 46, and the IrDA communicationcontrol circuit 42 converts the transferred image data into a modulatedsignal. Thereafter, the circuit 42 outputs the modulated signal to theinfrared ray transceiver 44, which transmits infrared rays 14corresponding to the modulated signal, thereby transmitting image datato the printer 12.

Upon completion of transmission of the image data, the flow advances tostep S512, and the CPU 20 transmits a request for disconnectingcommunications between the digital camera 10 and printer 12 to theprinter 12 via the infrared ray communication interface 16. Finally, instep S513, the CPU 20 executes disconnection processing of the infraredray communications for disconnecting the communication connection withthe printer 12 in accordance with the IrDA communication protocol, thusending this processing.

On the other hand, the printer 12 is controlled by the CPU 50 inaccordance with a predetermined sequence. As shown in FIG. 21, the CPU50 directs the IrDA communication control circuit 56 of the infrared raycommunication interface 18 to start communications upon receiving thestart instruction of communications with the digital camera 10, and setsa communication connection with the digital camera 10 via the infraredray communication interface 18 in accordance with the IrDA communicationprotocol, in step S601.

The flow advances to step S602, and the CPU 50 transmits a transmissionrequest of the print data conversion software to the digital camera 10via the infrared ray communication interface 18. In step S603, the CPU50 waits for the print data conversion software transmitted from thedigital camera 10. Upon starting transmission of the print dataconversion software from the digital camera 10, the flow advances tostep S604, and the CPU 50 receives the print data conversion softwareand stores it in the RAM 54.

Upon completion of reception of the print data conversion software, theflow advances to step S605, and the CPU 50 starts the received printdata conversion software to build an environment for converting imagedata transmitted from the digital camera 10 into print data in theprinter 12.

The flow then advances to step S606, and the CPU 50 waits for a printmode setting request from the digital camera 10. Upon receiving a printmode setting request, the CPU 50 checks in step S607 if the requestedprint mode is the HQ mode. If the requested print mode is the HQ mode,the flow advances to step S608 shown in FIG. 22; otherwise, it isdetermined that the requested print mode is the HS mode, and the flowadvances to step S614 shown in FIG. 22.

In step S608, the CPU 50 sets the print mode of the print dataconversion software in the HQ mode, as shown in FIG. 22. Upon settingthe HQ mode, an environment for converting image data transmitted fromthe digital camera 10 into print data corresponding to the HQ data isset. Subsequently, in step S609, the CPU 50 sends an image datatransmission request to the digital camera 10 via the infrared raycommunication interface 18.

In step S610, the CPU 50 receives infrared rays 14 transmitted from thedigital camera 10 in response to the image data transmission request.Subsequently, the CPU 50 converts the received image data into printdata corresponding to the HQ mode in step S611, and executes printerengine control corresponding to the HQ mode in step S612 to transfer theprint data in the HQ mode to the printer engine control circuit 64 viathe internal bus 68. The CPU 50 then checks in step S613 if reception ofimage data is complete. If reception of image data is not complete yet,the flow returns to step S610 above, and the processing from steps S610to S612 is repeated until reception of image data is complete.

Upon completion of reception of image data, the flow advances to stepS620, and the CPU 50 waits for reception of a communicationdisconnection request from the digital camera 10. Upon receiving aconnection disconnection request, the CPU 50 executes processing fordisconnecting the communication connection with the digital camera 10via the infrared ray communication interface 18 in accordance with theIrDA communication protocol in step S621, thus ending this processing.

In step S614, the CPU 50 sets the print mode of the print dataconversion software in the HS mode, as shown in FIG. 22. Upon settingthe HS mode, an environment for converting image data from the digitalcamera 10 into print data corresponding to the HS mode is set.Subsequently, in step S615, the CPU 50 transmits an image datatransmission request to the digital camera 10 via the infrared raycommunication interface 18.

In step S616, the CPU 50 receives infrared rays 14 transmitted from thedigital camera 10 in response to the image data transmission request,and extracts image data from the infrared rays. Next, the CPU 50converts the image data into print data corresponding to the HS mode instep S617, and executes print engine control corresponding to the HSmode in step S618 to transfer the print data in the HS mode to theprinter engine control circuit 64 via the internal bus 68. The CPU 50then checks in step S619 if reception of image data is complete. Ifreception of image data is not complete yet, the flow returns to stepS616, and the processing in steps S616 to S619 is repeated untilreception of image data is complete.

Upon completion of image data, the flow advances to step S620, and theCPU 50 waits for reception of a communication disconnection request fromthe digital camera 10. Upon receiving a connection disconnectionrequest, the CPU 50 executes processing for disconnecting thecommunication connection with the digital camera 10 via the infrared raycommunication interface 18 in accordance with the IrDA communicationprotocol in step S621, thus ending this processing.

As described above, in the image processing system of the secondembodiment, when an image sensed by the digital camera 10 is printed bythe printer 12, a communication connection is set between the digitalcamera 10 and printer 12 by transmitting/receiving infrared rays 14 viatheir infrared ray communication interfaces 16 and 18. The digitalcamera 10 transmits the print data conversion software to the printer 12as infrared rays 14, and the printer 12 starts the print data conversionsoftware. Thereafter, the digital camera 10 transmits image data to theprinter 12 as infrared rays 14. The print data conversion softwarerunning on the printer 12 converts the image data into print data. Inthis way, an image sensed by the digital camera 10 can be directlyprinted by the printer 12 without inserting any personal computerbetween the digital camera 10 and printer 12, i.e., without requiringany cumbersome operations.

In the second embodiment, one of the HQ and HS modes is selected as theprint mode. Alternatively, other modes may be set. When the printercomprises an ink-jet printer, pseudo halftone processing must be done.The pseudo halftone processing includes some methods such as ED (errordiffusion), dither, and the like, and some of these pseudo halftoneprocessing methods may be selected. In order to select some pseudohalftone processing methods, a dialog window for selecting one of ED anddither is displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal displaypanel 34, as shown in FIG. 24, in the same manner as selection of theprint modes, and one of these methods is selected by the switchoperation, thus allowing the user to set halftone processing of his orher choice.

In addition to the above setting, other modes for setting, e.g., colormatching may be set. A corresponding dialog window is displayed on theliquid crystal display panel 34 in correspondence with the modes to beset, and the user selects a desired mode using the switches, thus easilysetting various modes.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the print data conversionsoftware is installed on the digital camera 10, and is transmitted tothe printer 12 when an image sensed by the digital camera 10 is printedby the printer 12. Alternatively, print data software corresponding toimage data of the digital camera 10 may be pre-installed on the printer12. In place of installing all the components of the print dataconversion software in the printer 12, some components are installed inthe printer, and the remaining components are installed in the digitalcamera 10 and are transmitted to the printer 12 when an image sensed bythe digital camera 10 is printed by the printer 12. More specifically,only a software portion for decompressing image data compressed in theJPEG format may be transferred from the digital camera 10, and asoftware portion for converting the decompressed image data into printdata may be installed on the printer 12.

Moreover, the second embodiment uses infrared ray communication based onIrDA. In place of IrDA, ASK (amplitude shift keying) may be used. Also,other radio communication schemes using sonic waves, radio waves, andthe like may be used, and radio wave schemes such as a time-divisiondigital communication scheme such as PHS, spread spectrum scheme, andthe like may be used.

In the second embodiment, the print data conversion software is storedin the RAM 52 in the printer 12. In place of the RAM 52, a storage meanssuch as a hard disk, a memory card, or the like may be arranged, and theprint data conversion software may be stored in this storage means.

The second embodiment has exemplified the case wherein an image sensedby the digital camera 10 is printed. Also, the present invention can beapplied to a case wherein an image sensed in the still mode of a digitalvideo camera is printed.

(Third Embodiment)

The third embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing thearrangement of an image processing system.

The third embodiment is different from the above-mentioned secondembodiment in that print data conversion software is transmitted from apersonal computer to a printer.

The image processing system of the third embodiment comprises a digitalcamera (not shown) with an IrDA type infrared ray communicationinterface, and a printer 12 with an IrDA type infrared ray communicationinterface 18, as shown in FIG. 25. A digital camera 10 and the printer12 communicate with each other by transmitting/receiving infrared raysvia their infrared ray communication interfaces. When an image sensed bythe digital camera 10 is printed, image data is transmitted from thedigital camera 10 via the infrared ray communication interface, and isreceived by the printer 12 via the infrared ray communication interface18. The received image data is converted into print data that can beprinted by print data conversion software executed by a CPU 50 of theprinter 12, and an image is printed on the basis of the converted printdata.

This print data conversion software is installed on a personal computer(to be abbreviated as a PC hereinafter) 901, which transmits the printdata conversion software as infrared rays 903 via an infrared raycommunication interface 902 in response to a transmission request of theprint data conversion software from the printer 12. The printer 12receives the infrared rays 903 sent from the PC 901 via the infrared raycommunication interface 18, and extracts the print data conversionsoftware from the infrared rays 903. The print data conversion softwareis held in a RAM in the printer 12. The infrared ray communicationinterface 902 arranged in the PC 901 is based on IrDA, and acommunication protocol for transmitting the print data conversionsoftware uses that based on IrDA as in the above-mentioned secondembodiment.

The output timing of the transmission request of the print dataconversion software is set a predetermined period of time after thestartup process of the power supply of the printer is complete. In placeof this timing, the print data conversion software transmission requestmay be issued at another timing before reception of image data. Also,the PC 901 may output a reception request of the print data conversionsoftware, and the printer 12 may send a transmission grant message tothe PC 901 in response to this request.

(Fourth Embodiment)

The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing thearrangement of an image processing system.

The fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the above-mentionedsecond embodiment except that communications between a digital camera 10and printer 12 are done via a serial wired communication means.

In the image processing system of the fourth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 26, the digital camera 10 and printer 12 are connected to eachother via a serial communication cable 1201, and serial communicationsbetween the digital camera 10 and printer 12 are done in accordance withthe USB (Universal Serial Bus) scheme. With communication based on theUSB scheme, electric power can be supplied from the printer 12 to thedigital camera 10. Note that the IEEE1394 communication scheme may beused in place of the USB scheme.

(Fifth Embodiment)

The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 27 to 31. FIGS. 27 to 29 are flow charts showingthe control operation of a digital camera 10. FIG. 30 is a flow chartshowing the control operation of a printer 12. FIG. 31 shows an image tobe output from the printer 12.

The fifth embodiment is substantially the same as the second embodimentdescribed above, except that the digital camera 10 converts image datainto print data via print data conversion software and transmitsadditional information including date data such as the image sensingtime to the printer 12 together with the printer 12, and the printer 12prints an image on a paper sheet as a print medium on the basis of thereceived image data and also prints the received additional informationon a region outside the print region printed based on the print data.That is, the arrangements of the digital camera 10 and printer 12 andthe communication scheme therebetween are the same as those in thesecond embodiment.

Control by the CPU 20 of the digital camera 10 upon printing an imagesensed by the digital camera 10 using the printer will be describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29.

As shown in FIG. 27, the CPU 20 waits for depression of the power switch408 (FIG. 18) in step S1301. Upon depression of the power switch 408,the CPU 20 recognizes the depression of the power switch 408 via theinput port 40, and supplies electric power to the individual blocks instep S1302.

The CPU 20 then checks in step S1303 on the basis of the operation stateof the mode selection switch 405 (FIG. 18) if an image sensing mode isset. If the image sensing mode is set, the flow advances to step S1304.In step S1304, the CPU 20 controls to convert an image sensed by theimage sensing circuit 28 into image data and temporarily store the imagedata in the image memory 32, and to supply the image data to the displaycontrol circuit 36 and display it on the liquid crystal display panel34. Since the image data is displayed on the liquid crystal displaypanel 34, the liquid crystal display panel 34 serves as a finder.

In step S1305, the CPU 20 monitors via the input port 40 to see if theshutter switch 404 (FIG. 18) has been pressed. If depression of theshutter switch 404 is not detected, the flow returns to step S1303 torepeat the processing from step S1303. Upon detecting the depression ofthe shutter switch 404, the flow advances to step S1306, and the CPU 20stores image data stored in the image memory 32 in a first area of theflash memory 26 via the internal bus 46. Subsequently, in step S1307,the CPU 20 acquires date data from the timepiece device 215, and storesthat date data in a second area which is allocated in correspondencewith the first area of the flash memory 26.

The flow then advances to step S1308, and the CPU 20 detects thepresence/absence of depression of the power switch 404 via the inputport 40 again. If the depression of the power switch 404 is notdetected, the flow returns to step S1303 above. If the image sensingmode remains set, the CPU 20 repeats the processing from step S1304.Note that the maximum number of times of image sensing is determined bythe capacity of the flash memory 26. Upon detecting the depression ofthe power switch 404, the flow advances to step S1309, and the CPU 20stops power supply to the individual blocks, thus ending thisprocessing. Since the timepiece device 215 is backed up by the secondarybattery 216, it continues the timepiece operation irrespectively of stopof power supply to the individual blocks.

If the CPU 20 determines in step S1303 that a reproduction mode isselected, the flow advances to step S1310 shown in FIG. 28. In stepS1310, the CPU 20 controls to read out image data from the flash memory26 and supply the readout image data to the display control circuit 36so as to display it on the liquid crystal display panel 34. That is,since the readout image data is displayed on the liquid crystal displaypanel 34, the liquid crystal display panel 34 serves as a monitor.

Subsequently, in step S1311, the CPU 20 detects via the input port 40 ifthe print switch 408 (FIG. 18) has been depressed. If depression of theprint switch 408 is not detected, the flow advances to step S1318 shownin FIG. 29. In step S1318, the CPU 20 detects via the input port 40 ifthe image selection switch 406 (FIG. 18) has been pressed. If depressionof the image selection switch 406 is detected, the flow advances to stepS1319; otherwise, the flow returns to step S1303. In step S1319, the CPU20 controls to read out the next image data from the flash memory 26 andsupply it to the display control circuit 36, thus displaying an image onthe liquid crystal display panel 34. After the image data is displayed,the flow returns to step S1311.

Upon detecting the depression of the print switch 408 in step S1311, theflow advances to step S1312, and the CPU 20 reads out image data fromthe flash memory 26 and converts it into print data using the print dataconversion software. Subsequently, in step S1313, the CPU 20 transmitsthe print data to the printer 12 as infrared rays 14 from the infraredray communication interface 16. The print data is transmitted from theinfrared ray communication interface 16 in the same fashion as in thesecond embodiment described above.

After the print data is transmitted, the flow advances to step S1314,and the CPU 20 reads out the date data stored in correspondence with theimage data from the flash memory 26, converts it into character codedata, and transmits the character code data to the printer 12 asinfrared rays 14 from the infrared ray communication interface 16. Next,in step S1315, the CPU 20 reads out the name of the digital camera 10,which is pre-stored in the ROM 22, converts it into character code data,and transmits the character code data to the printer 12 as infrared rays14 from the infrared ray communication interface 16.

The flow then advances to step S1316, and the CPU 20 detects thepresence/absence of depression of the power switch 404 via the inputport 40 again. If the depression of the power switch 404 is notdetected, the flow returns to step S1318 (FIG. 29) above. If depressionof the image selection switch 406 is detected in step S1318, the flowadvances to step S1319. In step S1319, the CPU 20 controls to read outthe next image data from the flash memory 26 and supply it to thedisplay control circuit 36, thus displaying an image on the liquidcrystal display panel 34. After the readout image data is displayed, theflow returns to step S1311. If depression of the print switch 408 isdetected in step S1311, the next print data is converted into printdata, and is then transmitted to the printer 12.

Upon detecting the depression of the power switch 404 in step S1316, theflow advances to step S1317, and the CPU 20 stops power supply to theindividual blocks, thus ending this processing.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 30, in the printer 12, the CPU 50waits for reception of infrared rays 14 in step S1601. Upon receivinginfrared rays 14, the CPU 50 checks in step S1602 if data indicated bythe received infrared rays 14 is print data. If print data is received,the CPU 50 temporarily stores the received print data in the RAM 54 instep S1603, and transfers the print data stored in the RAM 54 to theprinter engine control circuit 64 via the internal bus 68 in step S1604.Upon receiving print data, the printer engine control circuit 64controls the printer engine 66 to print a corresponding image on a papersheet on the basis of the print data.

The flow advances to step S1605, and the CPU 50 checks if printing ofthe print data is complete If the printing of the print data is notcomplete yet, the flow returns to step S1601 to repeat the processingfrom step S1601 to step S1605 until the printing of the print data iscomplete.

Upon completion of printing of the print data, the flow advances to stepS1606, and the CPU 50 waits until it receives character code informationtransmitted after the print data from the digital camera 10. Uponreceiving the character code information, the flow advances to stepS1607, and the CPU 50 reads out font data corresponding to the receivedcharacter code information from the ROM 52. In step S1608, the CPU 50transfers the readout font data to the printer engine control circuit 64via the internal bus 68. Upon receiving the font data, the printerengine control circuit 64 controls the printer engine 66 to printcorresponding characters on a region outside the image printed region onthe paper sheet on the basis of the font data.

The flow then advances to step S1609, and the CPU 50 checks if printingof the character code information is complete. If the printing of thecharacter code information is not complete yet, the flow returns to stepS1601, and the CPU 50 repeats the processing from step S1601 to stepS1609 via steps S1602 and S1606 until the printing of the character codeinformation is complete.

Upon completion of printing of the character code information, the flowadvances to step S1610, and the CPU 50 disconnects the communicationconnection with the digital camera 10 in accordance with the IrDAcommunication protocol. Thereafter, the paper sheet is output, and thisprocessing ends.

In this manner, the printer outputs a paper sheet on which the image(the selected image displayed on a liquid crystal display panel) sensedby the digital camera 10 is printed, and date information and the nameof the digital camera are printed on the region outside the imageprinted region. As shown in FIG. 31, on an output paper sheet 701, animage (the selected image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel)702 sensed by the digital camera 10 is printed, and date information anda name (ABC) 703 of the digital camera 10 are printed on the region(lower region in FIG. 31) outside the printed region of the image 702.

As described above, in the image processing system of the fifthembodiment, when an image sensed by the digital camera 10 is printed bythe printer 12, the image sensed by the digital camera 10 can bedirectly printed by the printer 12 without interposing any personalcomputer between the digital camera 10 and printer 12, by makinginfrared ray communications between the digital camera 10 and printer12. Also, since additional information corresponding to an image sensedby the digital camera is transmitted together with that sensed image,and the printer 12 prints the additional information of that image onthe region outside the image printed region, the user can detect theimage sensing date, digital camera 10 used, and the like on the basis ofthe additional information, and can easily manage sensed images usingprinted paper sheets.

Note that the fifth embodiment uses additional information includingdate data such as an image sensing date, and the name of the digitalcamera 10. Also, additional information including the shutter speed, theselected image sensing mode such as a closeup mode, wide-angle mode,telephoto mode, or the like, the number of pixels, the compression ratioof image data, and the like may be stored in correspondence with imagedata, and may be printed together with the image data. In this case, theuser can recognize the image sensing conditions and setting contents indetail on the basis of the printed results.

On the other hand, the digital camera 10 may comprise a means forappropriately selecting items of additional information.

Furthermore, the items of additional information may include a title,image sensing location, weather, memorandum, and the like as those to beinput using keys, and upon selecting these items, correspondinginformation may be written using keys.

(Sixth Embodiment)

The sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to FIGS. 32 to 34. FIGS. 32 and 33 are flow chartsshowing the control operation of the printer 12. FIG. 34 shows an imageto be output from the printer 12.

The sixth embodiment is substantially the same as the above-mentionedfifth embodiment, except that when the digital camera 10 does nottransmit any additional information to the printer 12, the printer 12generates additional information and prints the generated additionalinformation on a region outside the image printed region. That is, thearrangements of the digital camera 10 and printer 12 and communicationscheme therebetween are the same as those in the fifth embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, the processing contents insteps S1801 to S1811 are the same as those in steps S1601 to S1610 shownin FIG. 30 in the fifth embodiment described above, except for stepS1806. An explanation of the steps with the same processing contentswill be omitted or briefly given, and steps with different processingcontents will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 32, upon completion of printing of print data, the CPU50 checks in step S1806 if additional information is transmitted fromthe digital camera 10 together with the print data. If additionalinformation is not transmitted, the flow advances to step S1812 shown inFIG. 33. The CPU 50 acquires date data from the timepiece device 312 instep S1812, and converts the acquired date data into character code datain step S1813, as shown in FIG. 33.

The flow then advances to step S1814, and the CPU reads out font datacorresponding to the character code data from the ROM 52. In step S1815,the CPU 50 transfers the readout font data to the printer engine controlcircuit 64 via the internal bus 68. Upon receiving the font data, theprinter engine control circuit 64 controls the printer engine 66 toprint corresponding characters (printed date) on a region outside theimage printed region on the basis of the font data.

The flow advances to step S1816, and the CPU 50 acquires character codedata of the printer name from the ROM 52. Subsequently, the CPU 50 readsout font data corresponding to the acquired character code data from theROM 52 in step S1817, and transfers the readout font data to the printerengine control circuit 64 via the internal bus 68 in step S1818. Uponreceiving the font data, the printer engine control circuit 64 controlsthe printer engine 66 to print corresponding characters (printer name)on a region outside the image printed region on the basis of the fontdata.

Finally, the flow advances to step S1811, and the CPU 50 disconnects thecommunication connection with the digital camera 10 in accordance withthe IrDA communication protocol. Thereafter, a paper sheet is output,and this processing ends.

As described above, when the digital camera 10 does not transmit anyadditional information, the printer 12 generates additional information(printed date, printer name), and outputs a paper sheet on which theimage sensed by the digital camera 10 is printed, and the generatedadditional information is printed on the region outside the imageprinted region. As shown in FIG. 34, on an output paper sheet 901, animage (the selected image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel)902 sensed by the digital camera 10 is printed, and the printed date anda printer name (XYZ) 903 are printed on the region (lower region in FIG.34) outside the printed region of the image 902.

In summary, in the image processing system of the sixth embodiment, whenthe digital camera 10 does not transmit any additional information, theprinter 12 generates additional information, and prints it on the regionoutside the image printed region. For this reason, the user can detectthe image printed data, printer used, and the like on the basis of theadditional information, and can estimate the image sensing date of theprinted image on the basis of the printed date and the like.

As described above, according to the present invention, the imageprocessing system which can easily print an image sensed by the digitalcamera using a printer can be provided.

Also, the digital camera and printing apparatus used in theabove-mentioned image processing system can be provided.

<Other Embodiment>

The present invention can be applied to a system constituted by aplurality of devices (e.g., host computer, interface, reader, printer)or to an apparatus comprising a single device (e.g., copy machine,facsimile).

Further, the object of the present invention can be also achieved byproviding a storage medium storing program codes for performing theaforesaid processes to a system or an apparatus, reading the programcodes with a computer (e.g., CPU, MPU) of the system or apparatus fromthe storage medium, then executing the program.

In this case, the program codes read from the storage medium realize thefunctions according to the embodiments, and the storage medium storingthe program codes constitutes the invention.

Further, the storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, anoptical disk, a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, a magnetic tape, anon-volatile type memory card, and ROM can be used for providing theprogram codes.

Furthermore, besides aforesaid functions according to the aboveembodiments are realized by executing the program codes which are readby a computer, the present invention includes a case where an OS(Operating System) or the like working on the computer performs a partor entire processes in accordance with designations of the program codesand realizes functions according to the above embodiments.

Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case where, after theprogram codes read from the storage medium are written in a functionexpansion card which is inserted into the computer or in a memoryprovided in a function expansion unit which is connected to thecomputer, CPU or the like contained in the function expansion card orunit performs a part or entire process in accordance with designationsof the program codes and realizes functions of the above embodiments.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments andvarious changes and modifications can be made within the spirit andscope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of thescope of the present invention the following claims are made.

1. A camera comprising: an image pickup sensor adapted to form picked upelectrical image data; a communication circuit adapted to directlycommunicate with a remote printer without an external computer; anacquisition unit adapted to acquire program codes from the remoteprinter for printing via said communication circuit; a conversioncircuit adapted to convert said picked up electrical image data intoprint image data using the program codes acquired by said acquisitionunit; a selecting circuit adapted to select one of a higher qualityimage print mode and a higher speed image print mode; a generatoradapted to generate a mode signal indicating the selected one of saidhigher quality image print mode and said higher speed image print mode;and a transmitter adapted to transmit said mode signal and the convertedprint image data to said remote printer.
 2. A camera according to claim1, wherein said transmitter includes a wireless transmitter.
 3. A cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes a wiredtransmitter.
 4. A camera comprising: an image pickup sensor adapted toform picked up electrical image data; a communication circuit adapted todirectly communicate with a remote printer without an external computer;an acquisition unit adapted to acquire program codes from the remoteprinter for printing via said communication circuit; a conversioncircuit adapted to convert said picked up electrical image data intoprint image data using the program codes acquired by said acquisitionunit; a selecting circuit adapted to select one of a plurality ofdifferent half tone processings; a generator adapted to generate a modesignal indicating the selected one of said plurality of different halftone processings; and a transmitter adapted to transmit said mode signaland the converted print image data to said remote printer.
 5. A cameraaccording to claim 4, wherein said transmitter includes a wirelesstransmitter.
 6. A camera according to claim 4, wherein said transmitterincludes a wired transmitter.
 7. A camera according to claim 4, whereinsaid processings include a dither processing.
 8. A camera according toclaim 4, wherein said processings include an error diffusion processing.9. A camera comprising: an image pickup sensor adapted to form picked upelectrical image data; a communication circuit adapted to directlycommunicate with a remote printer without an external computer; aselecting circuit adapted to select one of a plurality of differentcolor matching processes; an acquisition unit adapted to acquire programcodes from the remote printer for printing via said communicationcircuit; a conversion circuit adapted to convert said picked upelectrical image data into print image data using the program codesacquired by said acquisition unit; a generator adapted to generate amode signal indicating the selected one of said plurality of differentcolor matching processes; and a transmitter adapted to transmit saidmode signal and the converted print image data to said remote printer.10. A camera according to claim 9, wherein said transmitter includes awireless transmitter.
 11. A camera according to claim 9, wherein saidtransmitter includes a wired transmitter.